Smart Dealer Buying - Guidelines - Strategies

Although doing plenty of research is still the ace up the sleeve of any potential car buyer, here are a few other tips that can help you save hassle, headache, and even hard cash. Remember your in charge. Timing is important. The Internet is your friend and trade-ins can be costly. Do Remember --- The number one thing to keep in mind is that the customer is king. You are the king, or queen, and if you don't like what a seller is offering, you are free to walk at any time. There are plenty of other cars for sale out there so don't let them fool you into thinking that you have to act now or that you have to buy from them.

Clear-Thinking - Needed

Having a clear picture of exactly what you want is important. If you are buying a used car, the sales person will most likely try to hawk you any number of add-ons including extra warranties and roadside assistance programs. Determine ahead of time if you will be interested in adding on any of these. Don't get caught up in the moment and buy something you don't want.

Time is Money

Cars tend to be cheaper during the week than on the weekend. Weekdays are better than weekends. You can usually get better deals on cars that are out of season or that have remained unsold for a long time, and when the new model year comes out, the cars from the previous model year tend to go on sale. The price tag stuck onto a brand new car can fluctuate wildly depending on what percentage the dealer is willing to knock off his sales price at any given time. Because car sales persons may receive a monthly bonus that depends on how many cars they sell in a given month, the end of the month can be a great time to buy a vehicle. As the month comes to a close, sales representatives are usually much more likely to offer you a rock bottom price for a car just so they can meet their quota and receive their bonus. Never offer too low of a price be real.

Cursor Savings

If possible, do your price negotiations online. Most dealerships these days have an online sales department that may be a lot easier to deal with and a lot more willing to negotiate. The Internet sales department operates different than floor sales on the showroom. The Internet sales department is a great asset for the smart buyer.

Financial Plan

Use online calculator tools to help you understand how much you can afford and what you will be paying on a monthly basis. Don't forget the additional fees associated with taxes and registration?

Appointment Please

When its time to go shopping not necessarily buying and before you head to the dealership, setup an appointment with the Internet salesperson. If you develop contact with the Internet manager before you head to the dealership, you should be able to get in and out of the dealership faster.

Two Heads Better

If you must negotiate in person, try not to show up alone. The pressure can make you a vulnerable target if you are by yourself so bring a friend to talk things over with. A good friend can help make sure you don't charge into a sale without considering all the angles.

Take a Pill

Try to stay calm when making negotiations. Like wild animals and fear, sales persons can smell excitement. No matter how happy you are to have finally found the car of your dreams, bundle it all inside of you, calmly ask for more information, and even continue to look at other vehicles on the lot.

Thinking Before Speaking

Think about additional features when they are presented to you instead of giving an immediate answer. Even if the way it is presented to you makes it sound crucial, saying yes right away is not always the best option. Saying no too quickly, on the other hand, can open you up to a volley of aggressive sales techniques.

Don't be a Trader

Never trade your car in unless it has major problems and you just need to dump it. Trading in your car to help with the purchase of the next one is usually not a good idea unless it has serious problems. If you must trade it in, don't mention your plans until the very end of the sale. First negotiate as low a price as you can for the car you are considering then see if you can lower it any more by trading in your old car.

Know the Score

If you plan on financing the purchase, know your credit score and try and get pre-approved.

Pre-Check

If you will need a loan to buy the vehicle, ask your credit union or bank ahead of time how much of a loan they think you could get approved for. The vast majority of dealers and sellers make the vast majority of their money not on the actual price of the car they sell you but on the in-house financing plans, the add-ons, and the other extras bundled with the car. To eliminate this nasty tactic, shop around for the best loan as a separate process so that the subject doesn't even have to come up at the dealership.

Don't-U-Dare

Purchasing extra warranties and other add-ons from the dealer is not usually a good idea. The cost-value ratio of these is usually far too heavily tipped in the favor of the dealer and the trained sales person attempting to sell them to you.

Ask Away

Take a moment to ask the representative you are dealing with if the dealership's doc fees are regulated in your state. The paperwork is usually quick and can be done online, over the phone, or by fax. Double check that the fee has not been doctored in any way. If it seems too high to you, you are welcome to try to negotiate.

It's important that you are realistic. No one likes a customer who just wastes their time. If you are not quite ready yet to buy, visit the dealership at a low time or even after hours.